Srinagar and a few other districts in the Kashmir valley witnessed curfew and restrictions on mass gatherings for the second consecutive day today. The curfew was implemented in the aftermath of Hizbul commander Sabzar Bhat’s death in an encounter with security forces on Saturday. Faizan Ahmed, a close associate of Bhat was also killed in the operation.

Hurriyat and other separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq have been placed under house arrest following calls by them to march to Tral town, where Bhat was killed. The death has already seen protests breaking out, and the funeral of the Hizbul commander was attended by thousands of people, reported First Post. Both belonged to Rathsuna village of Tral tehsil where they were buried in the village martyrs’ graveyard.
Similar preventive restrictions have been imposed in Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Badgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara and Baramulla districts.

JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik, who had attended the funerals on Saturday has been arrested and shifted to the central jail. All educational institutions have been shut by the authorities in addition to the postponement of exams scheduled on Monday by the university. Train services also remained suspended on Monday for the second consecutive day. Police said except for six stone-pelting incidents on Sunday those were handled with maximum restraint by the security forces, the valley remained peaceful.